Christmas -- The Merriment Continues

I think we were like many of you, who enjoyed multiple Christmases! As you saw in the last post, we had fun with the kids, decorating Rick's trees and doing the zoo walk. That was Monday. On Tuesday, it was our "Christmas Eve." I took the morning off so I could get a couple of things done at home (like sleep) and make cookies to decorate. But soon it was time for fun! (The clean-up would be later!)

 

We (I mean the collective "we") were going to build a gingerbread house. It started out well enough. 

Easter Weekend -- It was Eggcellent!

Easter 2023 is wrapped up and in the books for another year but it was such a terrific weekend, with kids, friends, eggs, good food and so much more, that I had to share a bit!

In-Between Week

The week between Christmas and New Year's is one of my favorites. Things calm down -- and even if they don't quite calm down, it's a gentler, more relaxed feeling. A good time for naps, tidying up, quieter gatherings with friends and looking forward to a new year. 

In our case, it involved saying goodbye to Rick's mom as we met up with Rick's brother and his wife, where she would spend the next few days, our annual Christmas song celebration, a quick hug with an old friend and lots of rest!

Christmas Cookies, Presents and Food!

Christmas Eve. I really love the sound of those words together. The anticipation. The joy.

We spent several hours of Christmas Eve with the Toddler Twosome so their parents could go to the gym in the morning and later, to a holiday party. There was some cuddling.

And cookie decorating. This has always been a full-family thing done after dinner on Christmas Eve. But times and ages of participants changes things and so it was me and the baking assistants in the afternoon (while the other adult baking assistant in the room took the photos.)

After a near-sprinkle accident, we got our rhythm down. (lesson learned: Don't give a toddler a jar of sprinkles and say put some of these on your cookie, because they will dump the whole jar onto the cookie sheet!).

The rhythm -- I frost cookies and hand some of them off to the sprinkler. Who covers them with sprinkles and eats them.

Meanwhile, our junior assistant's purpose was more as a taste tester. He was eating cookies as fast as I could frost them. His method? Lick the frosting off, then eat the cookie. I was glad I made many the size of animal crackers so it wasn't as decadent as it sounded! (Fortunately, the clean-up crew was under the table, doing their due diligence!)

Time for Christmas Eve dinner. Kevin made perfectly grilled steaks, Molly did a terrific salad and we had mashed potatoes with it. All delicious.

There is something about dinner by candlelight. So soft and gentle.

Of course, it wasn't all soft! I love Christmas crackers! Gotta wear a crown!

This group had particularly good "presents" inside. (They were by Emma Bridgewater -- if I see her brand again, I'm getting them!)

Our Big Guy was very into blowing out the candles!

The next morning brought presents! Big Guy delivered -- and helped us all open our gifts.

Rick and I gave the boys each a tent. They were hits!

Then Big Guy got his beloved Buzz Lightyear that lit up and talked!

While the kids played...

Kevin got breakfast ready.

More candles, more blowing, more play! Grandpa was invited into the tent to share time with the Big Guy and Buzz.

While Molly got the boys ready to head to the next family Christmas, Rick took a little break! This is one of my favorite photos from the time with the kids.

And soon it was over, they were out, we were on the road home. But this is the image I will keep in my mind! The magic and joy of being a child.

We got home in time to get ready for Christmas dinner. Fortunately, I'd set the table before we left.

That tablecloth is from our blog friend Rita at Panoply. Her downsizing generosity is now part of my Christmas decor!

It was mom's china, silver and crystal with some bunny ornaments for napkin holders.

Mike and Kate arrived, Kate bringing the rest of the dinner -- a salad and peppermint stick ice cream for dessert with our Christmas cookies.

That, the prosecco and a few appetizers set us up well for dinner!

I made jambalaya. And very good. I used THIS RECIPE but if I did it again, I might cut some of the spices in cooking and add them near the end or at the table. It was super spicy!

And then it was over.

Kind of perfect, actually. I couldn't have handled more people after the Toddlers and being prepped for Christmas dinner (and Kate's contributions) made it so easy. It has been a very good season.

And now, we're ready for a nap! On to the new year!

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More Hall Decking - The Rest of the House!

I don't know why I couldn't get going on decorating so quickly this year. Usually I'm done by Thanksgiving weekend. Ah, well. It's up now. And it's going to stay awhile!

In the last post, I showed you the living room. Here are a few more spaces in my little house. At the far end of the living room is the dining area. Yeah, I know. It's a little crammed. A lot crammed.

There's a tree, of course. I love this skinny white one.

Most everything on it is red, white or silver (a few exceptions) and like my other trees, a mix of things I love and things from dear friends.

The table is set, ready for friends!

My friend Barb had given me this sweet copper pot with an arrangement a few years ago. I decided to go with roses and mums. (Now the roses are fading, the mums fine and greens are ready to be added in to replace the older flowers!) By the way, that carnation in the center isn't part of the arrangement -- those were in vases!

I love my Radko music box snow globe!

I have two facing cabinets there. The china cabinet just gets a makeover on the top each holiday.

The other cabinet gets the outside treatment...

...and the inside treatment too!

In the family room, a pretty pared down mantle for me. Usually it has Santa people or snowfolk on it. This time, only a couple!

I got these fellows from an artist friend. She was "peddling" them for someone else. They fit my more rustic cottage style. I did the bird terrarium at Southern Exposure. I was going to put a bottlebrush tree in there but I got the mantle greens up before I remembered and I knew messing with it was a disaster waiting to happen so for once I refrained!

Looking the other way, my little cabinet serves as a bar area. Glass of wine, anyone?

And in the window, one of Lizzie's favorites!

So pretty when lit up at night!

In the family room, you'll also find my Southern Exposure sled. I removed the plastic snowflakes and put on some more rustic, natural looking ones. (And one more since then. Everything in threes!)

This terrific totebag that I won in The Painted Apron's drawing from Jenna is always visible on the door handle -- except when it is in use. Very handy making deliveries. (I also ordered some of Jenna's coasters for gifts and I have to say the quality on everything I've ordered has been excellent!)

My kitchen is very tiny but I do have room for a couple of shelves.

The sheep remind me of my time in the Cotswolds.

I always loved the sheep but they are even more meaningful now!

The other tends to get a mix of old and new "friends." And it's a great place to display a couple of seasonal teapots!

Those are the basics. Bits and pieces, of course are everywhere, but we'll leave you with Lizzie, the model.

Have a wonderful holiday full of family, food, lights and beautiful things!

Next time -- Christmas in London's department stores! Cheers!

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